Menu Planning Monday

I just joined Menu Planning Monday through I'm an Organizing Junkie at http://orgjunkie.com/menu-plan-monday. If you are interested in getting some really good recipes for your family...this is the place to be.

Hertz Family's Menu Plan this week:

Monday-boys are on there own with leftovers
Tuesday-Chicken Quesadillas
Wednesday-Roast, carrots and potatoes in the crockpot
Thursday-Homemade pizza
Friday-Homemade Stroganoff in the crockpot
Saturday-Cheeseburger Salad

First blog article!!!

The below article I wrote and it was posted on 24/7 moms blog site!!! I'm so excited as it is my first article. It was posted on 1/27/09....thought I would share it!

Creative Ideas & Projects to Organize Kids School Papers, Artwork & Small Bedroom HasslesBy: Stacy L. Hertz

I am a mother of a three year old and I can’t believe how much paperwork he brings home between daycare, swim lessons and music class and he’s not even in school yet. Afraid of losing important dates, as I knew it would only get worse as he becomes older, I decided to make a binder to keep track of all his paperwork. I bought a three ring binder from Wal-Mart and a package of 3 ring punched one sided folders. I labeled each folder with the person’s name that lives in our household. When I’m handed a reminder note that my son has pictures for class, I record the date on the calendar and then it goes into his folder for reference. The folders hold dentist and doctor appointments, birthday invites, library reading dates and more. My folder for instance has my appointments and my husband’s are in his. I keep the binder with my calendar on our desk where everyone can view it. I purge as needed and don’t have paper stacks anymore on the counters.

Artwork

Now what about that artwork? My little guy is coloring and painting new pictures all the time and at daycare they make something for most holidays. I love everything he brings home, but sometimes the refrigerator looks a little overwhelmed!!Here are a couple of ways I like to keep his artwork on display but not feel weighed down with paperwork:

● Hang a piece of yarn, rope or fishing line across your child’s wall, up towards the ceiling, with tacks. Then use clothespins to hang up their artwork. When they want to put up new projects go through and purge what is not needed and keep your favorites.

● Now where to keep those favorites? Use an expandable filed folder with dividers, from any office supply store, and store by years. Another great way to keep artwork in one place is by purchasing a frame from dynamicframes.com, that can hold up to 50 to 100 pieces of artwork at one time.

Bedroom Hassles

Even though my son is not in school yet, he already dons a backpack for daycare. Between the backpack, shoes, coats, etc. I have a hard time finding my entryway or my son’s room. Therefore the following tips might help you out in the same situation.

● Use a hanging shoe organizer in your entryway closet for all gloves, scarves and hats.

● Use a hanging sweater organizer and give each child a cubby hole. This is where school work, backpacks, gym shoes & even small instruments can go.

● Buy tubs in various sizes, one for Legos, one for cars, and so on. Take a picture of each toy and tape it to the outside of the tub and label each tub with a permanent marker. This way your kids will know where their toys go when done playing.